LATEST: Officials for animal rights organisation the AMERICAN HUMANE
ASSOCIATION have ruled the death of a horse on Tim Mcgraw's new film FLICKA was
an accident, despite concerns from activists.

Protestors at PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS (PETA) demanded
AHA officials slap the family film with a harsh 'Monitored Unacceptable' rating
after hearing how terrified horses were chased around a makeshift rodeo set in
one scene
of the film.

The scene ended in tragedy when one horse stumbled and fell and then was
kicked in the head until dead by another frightened mare.

But the AHA has stated the deaths weren't the result of "any failure on
the part of American Humane's certified animal safety representatives," or the
production company's failure to "comply with American Humane's `Guidelines for
the Safe Use
of Animals in Filmed Media.'"

However, officials at the AHA have revealed the accident, which followed
another at the start of shooting, where a horse had to be put to sleep after
breaking its leg, has prompted them to review "stricter protocols for horse
action."

As a result of the accidents and the AHA investigation, the film, a remake
of RODDY McDOWELL movie MY FRIEND FLICKA, will be released without the
traditional 'No animals were harmed...' credits disclaimer.